I got into cooking because I loved to chop. Seriously. It started as my childhood chore and became a passion, then a profession. I went on to study cooking in Italy and San Francisco and while I did work in the kitchen for a bit, I mostly focussed on the ingredient side of things. I'm an ingredient hound, crazy about the hunt. Most of my professional life has been spent seeking out the best and telling others about them, in San Francisco, New York and back to Portland, Oregon, where I grew up. I finally summed up my passions through my business, FoodShed. It's a place to discover authentic American foods and find them at stores near you, or buy them direct. What I love most about cooking is that you're never quite an expert. There's always something to learn, and that's what makes it fun. That, and sharing it with the people you love.
What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
Sea cucumbers
What do you cook when home alone?
Totally varies, although usually savory.
Your most treasured kitchen possession:
Le Creuset Dutch Oven + my big slab commercial cutting board
The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
8
